Wire fence.



No. 666,560. Patented m. 22, I90I.

. w. s. ROWLAND.

WIRE FENCE.

[Applicstion filed July 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT @FFICE.

WILLIAM S. ROWLAND, OF DENTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

WIRE FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,560, dated January 22, 1901.

Application filed July 25,1899.

This invention relates to wire fences of that class in which provision is made for taking up the slack; and it has for one of its objects to construct a fence in such a manner as to reduce the cost to a mini mum without detracting from its durability.

A further object is to provide a fence having means for taking up the slack in thelongitndinal wires, thus preventing sagging and loosening of the wires and their supports.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of asection of fence embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the end post or brace, with its attachments. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the end post, with its stay-wires and anchor, with the ratchet-winders removed.

The reference-letter A designates the end post or brace of the fence, provided on diametrically opposite sides with laterally-projecting lugs a, which are formed with bearings to receive the shafts or axes ct of ratchetwheels B and B, located, respectively, at the inner and outer sides of the post. The post A rests upon a foundation C, preferably consisting of a block of stone or like durable material.

C designates an anchor-block located, like the foundation C, below the surface of the ground, and to this anchor-block are secured the lower ends of stay-wires (L2, the upper ends of which are secured to the shafts of the ratchet-wheels B, which are located on the inner side of the post A, each of said ratchetwheels being provided with a pawl a It will be clear from Figs. 1 and 3 that these wires (6 brace the post against both longitudinal and lateral strain.

To the axes of the ratchet-wheels B, located Serial No. 725,088. (No model.)

on the outer side of the post A, are secured the ends of the longitudinal wires D of the fence, the ratchet-wheels being provided with pawls b, as shown in Fig. 2. The wires D are connected together by vertical spacing-wires E, placed at suitable intervals apart, which may be secured to the line-wires by suitable fastenings, as d.

The letter F designates the vertical supports for the fence, which may have suitable side braces, as f It will be' obvious thatthelongitudinal wires D and also the stay-wires of the end support A may be readily tightened through the medium of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism.

From the above description, in connection with the drawings, it will be seen that I entirely avoid the use of Wooden posts, which soon rot and become unserviceable, and that the entire fence structure is proof against weather, as well as against displacement by wind-storms.

I claim 1. In a wire fence, the combination with a post, and an anchoring-block, of a plurality of ratchet winding devices having journalsnpports respectively upon the inner and outer sides of the post, the inner winding devices bearing an alternate relation to the outer winding devices, longitudinal fence wires connected with the winding devices upon the outer side of the post, and staywires connected with said anchor-block and with the winding devices at the inner side of the post, substantially as set forth.

2. Thecombination with the end post having laterallyprojecting lugs, of ratchetwheels having their shafts supported in bearings in said lugs, longitudinal wires secured to the shafts of some of said ratchet-wheels, and stay-wires secured to the shafts of the other of said ratchet-wheels, and an anchorblock to which the other ends of the staywires are secured and extend in lateral directions to brace the post against both longitudinal and lateral strain, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM S. ROWLAND. 

